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October 21, 2021

Congressman Schiff on Contempt Vote in the House

“As Congress reconvened in the hours after the violence of January 6, there was a chance for moral clarity, when members of both parties could have come together to recognize that horrible day for what it was: a bloody insurrection designed to overturn a free and fair election. That moment of lucidity quickly gave way, as many Republicans now endeavor to rewrite history and diminish the threat posed by that insurrection to the very pillars of our democracy.

“Today’s vote to hold Steve Bannon in criminal contempt was an early test of whether our democracy is recovering. Of whether the rule of law still applies equally. Of whether Congress will sit idly by while its status as a coequal branch of government is threatened and undermined. We have passed that test because of the steadfastness of 229 Members of Congress, including 9 courageous Republicans who put country ahead of party.

“The contempt charges against Mr. Bannon will now be forwarded to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution. Attorney General Garland must take up those charges without delay and bring Mr. Bannon to justice. Because if we are to prevent another deadly attack on our citadel of democracy, we must reaffirm the principle that we use elections to decide who should govern and that no one is above the law.”

 

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